Internet celebrity Lil bub cat has died at the age of 8

Internet celebrity cat Lil Bub has died

internet-famous cat Lil Bub has died, as BrooklynVegan notes. “On the morning of Sunday, December 1 2019 we lost the purest, kindest, and most magical living force on our planet,” Bub’s “dude” Mike Bridavsky announced. “Bub was cheerful and full of love laying in our bed with us Saturday night, but unexpectedly passed away peacefully in her sleep.” Lil Bub was 8 years old. Find Bridavsky’s note below.

Born as the runt of her litter with a form of feline dwarfism, Lil Bub’s genetic mutations gave her the unique features of looking like a permanent kitten, and a toothless jaw that left her tongue adorably hanging out. She’s been the subject of a genetic research campaign to better understand gene mutations, and helped raise over $700,000 for animals in need through partnerships with organizations like the ASPCA.

2.3 million people follow Lil Bub on Instagram, and as of Monday morning, more than 126,000 had liked the cat's farewell post in just over one hour.

Lil Bub was the runt of a litter of feral cats found in a tool shed in rural Indiana in July 2011, and was born with a number of genetic anomalies, including dwarfism, polydactylism (extra toes), osteopetrosis, and jaw and mouth issues, her official website says. The site dubbed her a "perma-kitten," since her condition meant she stayed the size of a kitten her entire life.

Lil Bub gained fame once Bridavsky began posting about her on Tumblr. She was featured on calendars, shirts, greeting cards, as a stuffed toy, appeared on numerous national television shows, and had her own book and web series. Her merchandise site notes that a portion of the proceeds from every sale goes to Lil Bub's Big Fund for the ASPCA, a national fund for special needs pets. The site says Bub has helped raise over $600,000 for animals in need since 2012, and that Lil Bub's Big Fund has awarded over $400,000 in grants to shelters nationwide since 2014.

"Dearest Bub, I will never forget your generosity, your limitless supply of love, or your uncanny ability to bring so much magic and joy to the world," Bridavsky writes in the farewell post. "I am forever honored and humbled that you chose me as your caretaker. Please visit all of us in our dreams."

It's been a sad year for fans of internet-famous cats. Meme-making cat Grumpy Cat, whose frowny face sparked smiles and memes, died in May at age 7 after suffering complications from a urinary-tract infection.

All we can say is RIP dear little cat.